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RV 14 (Rh) In sentences 2 and 3 we have /hotelu/ and /Tabiyaw/. i.e. these nouns have the suffixes /-u/ and /-w/ respectively.

The suffix /-u/ after consonants and /-w/ after vowels is added to masculine nouns or their modifiers (see later units) to make them definite or specific. It is generally used when the speaker refers to things or persons that have been mentioned before, or to things or persons which are in his presence. It is, however, not necessarily used in the same situations as the English definite article. The suffix makes the 'pointing out' or 'reference' more explicit. It is less used with plural nouns than with nouns in the singular.

Note 2.2. 'and' /-(ı)nna/.

The suffix /-ınna/ after consonants and /-nna/ after vowels is the equivalent of the English word 'and', e.g.

It should be noted, however, that /ınna/ may also occur as a separate word.

Note 2.3 Verb: The use of /nəw/ 'is' and /allə/ 'there is'.

The verb form /nəw/ 'is' (see Note 3.5.) denotes simple equation (w is y). Its negative counterpart is /aydəlləm/ 'is not', e.g.

The verb form /allə/ denotes the existence of something ('there is', 'there exists'). Its negative counterpart is /yəlləm/ 'there is not,' e.g.

The word /yəlləm/ means also 'no'.